Good News and Bad News

 The Bad News:

Our skirting guy found an 8-10 foot section that has rotten/near rotting wood under where the skirting is supposed to go.  We all agree it needs to be fixed.  That would involve taking off the siding and whatever else is needed to get to the damaged areas, as well as it being a few weeks before he can get to it due to other jobs.  But I asked him to check all around the house in case there are other sections that need fixing and to give us an estimate.  So I guess the skirting will be put on hold until that's taken care of.

The Good News:

I got a call from the water company today that they have installed the water line extension down our road (I didn't even see any evidence of this the last time I was there!) and that all that's left is to flush the pipes.  I think they said the water meter was also in place?  Shouldn't be too much longer before we can hook everything up!  That's much faster than I was expecting (answer to prayers!).  Maybe November is still doable for moving in! 

Still waiting on word about the electric meter base. 

I got in touch with the skirting company about the broken rail pieces.  We're going to see if we can make them work by cutting off the broken ends.  If they aren't enough, I'll ask the company for replacements.

We are planning to go look at a new vehicle this Saturday.

Skirting, AC, and Septic, oh my!

Split railing

Max and I drove out to the lot yesterday to be there for the skirting delivery, but we ended up missing him by a few minutes because he was only able to give us a 20 minute heads up and we were 45 minutes away when he called (he was also a little earlier than his 11am time).  I checked over the packages to make sure everything looked good and noticed that some of the rails were broken/split.  I had to call him back to file a claim, and I hope they'll be replaced.  

 

Skirting packages

The damaged rails

Our new thermostat

Broken rails

The septic tank filled in

Behind the house

Skirting so far

Our HVAC guy told us we needed a new thermostat because the batteries in the old one were corroded and he's had good success with the Honeywell he installed.  He's also going to change out the 4-prong outlets for the dryer and stove/oven for us.  I'm expecting the new one to come in the mail.  I also ordered the mailbox, and all the knobs, outlet covers, and light switch plates we'll need!  YAY! 

Our skirting guy had to do a little improvising but he managed to get a good chunk of the skirting up today before it rained!  I think it looks really good! 

Our drywall guy also called and told me he'd have the price for the electric meter base by the end of tomorrow so once we get that sorted we'll be able to install it and have them hook up our electric!  He's also going to be able to finish up the drywall inside now that he's free again.

I wish water wouldn't take so long.  They're going to be the ones we wait on in order to move in.

We had our totaled van towed today and have a vehicle lined up to look at this Saturday.  Pray it works out!  We really need it!

Exterior hole fixed

Before

After

Now that the exterior hole is fixed, the siding can be put on!

I also got some shots of the gravel they put down for the driveway.  Since there's not much room on the front of the house, we're just going to have the driveway be on the side.

Proof that all the cabinet doors are done!

Now I need to go there and work on the cabinets themselves and remove the tile!

What a day!

 I got up at 8am and got myself breakfast and ready to head out to the lot/house.  I wanted to get there around 11am to unload some stuff from our van for the house, but ended up getting rear-ended on the way.  We lost the bumper and a side panel.  Sigh.  The van will probably be totaled - guess we will be getting a 4WD vehicle to replace it. 

When I finally got to the house and called the transport company to see when their ETA was, they told me there was some kind of delay and they had to push it back to Monday.  So okay, fine.  I let our skirting installer know and he came over to collect the deposit and he also helped me get the stuff from the van into the house.  I got in touch with our drywall guy to see when he'd be patching the hole in the outside wall so the siding can go back up and he said he'd do it this afternoon after work.  I headed home after that and finished stripping the last cabinet door.  Then I got a text from our HVAC guy saying they'd have it all set up Monday, they just had to get some copper insulation and install the 14" flexible duct.  But they put the condenser unit in place out back.

 

HVAC Installation

 Heard from our HVAC neighbor who is getting to work on hooking up our AC and dryer vent.  He recommended 14" vent pipes for better air flow since he's seen a lot of double wides struggle with 12" (which we currently have). 

I'll be going out to the lot tomorrow for the skirting delivery.  Can't wait!  Busy day!

Skirting Delivery Scheduled

 I just got word today that the skirting has shipped and will arrive Friday between 11am and 4pm.  Can't wait!

Vintage front door!

 I went out today and picked up this vintage solid wood door from a salvage store and I'm super excited!  It's going to look so good when I'm done with it.  I also got some barnwood for the temporary front stairs.

Progress is good

I feel like I've talked to everyone today!  But I'm staying on top of things, and progress is good. We've got the septic system installed in the ground and we'll be getting it hooked up in about a month.  

Our 1,000 gallon tank

Looking out toward the top of the drain field

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've decided we want the EverRock skirting (block was too expensive and metal doesn't suit our aesthetic).  I've found a company that will install it once we order it.  The nice thing is we can order automatic vents that will close at 40 degrees and open at 70 degrees. 

Another house with EverRock skirting

White EverRock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our drywall guy is going to work on the electric meter base as well as finishing up on the inside.  He was sick for a few days but seems to be on the mend now.  Once the base is built, and now that the trees along the road are cleared, they'll be able to string the electric wires and get us hooked up.  

Our HVAC guy is going to take a look at what we need to hook up our AC this weekend.

I think we'll have my dad build our front porch (and our back deck, but front one first).  We are getting short on funds so we're having to focus on what's necessary to move in. 

I've been working on the cabinet doors and have gotten 4 done this past week.  4 more to go!  Then I'll be able to start working on the outside of the cabinets (at the house).

 

EDIT:  I ordered the skirting tonight!

Installing the Septic

 Our septic system is being installed today and should be done Monday. 

I also let our drywall guy know that there is a hole in the outside wall that needs repair, and that we want to put the electric meter base on the house.  He's going to hook up our water and electric too.

Then today I got another cabinet door stripped of paint, leaving 7 left to do.

Slowly but Surely

 After a short intermission, we're starting to pick up steam again.  On Tuesday, I went in to the electric office and paid for the poles/wires to be installed.  

Today, I got a message that we're ready to start installing the septic system.  

I've also been looking for an electrician/plumber who can help us get the meter base built/installed and connect wires/pipes under the house.

I'm hoping we can move in Oct/Nov, when our current lease is up.